How Can I Make a Gluten-Free, Sugar-Free Birthday Cake?

Q: My mother-in-law is newly gluten free and is also avoiding sugar. She is a little lax on the sugar part, and will do maple syrup, agave and other types of sweeteners on a very limited basis.

Her birthday is next month and she's asked me to do a gluten-free, sugar-free cake. That sounds like a terrible idea to me, but I'm willing to give it a shot. Do you have any suggestions for recipes that may use fruits (or coconut sugar — her new interest) as sweeteners. Oh, and don't include gluten. Thanks!

Sent by Jill

Editor: Jill, that is indeed a tall order. We'd like to hear suggestions from our readers, but also mention Elana Amsterdam's new book, Gluten-Free Cupcakes. It has quite a few gluten-free recipes that include agave and other alternative sweeteners.